Abstract: An aspartate-terminated prepolymer can be a reaction product of a reaction mixture including an aliphatic NCO-terminated prepolymer having an NCO content of from 0.5% to 15% and a number average NCO functionality of <2, and a compound according to formula (I) wherein, X represents a linear or branched aliphatic group obtained by removing amino groups from a linear or branched aliphatic polyamine, R1 and R2 are identical or different and represent organic groups which are inert towards isocyanate groups at a temperature of 100° C. or less, R3 and R4 are identical or different and represent hydrogen or organic groups which are inert towards isocyanate groups at a temperature of 100° C. or less, n represents an integer with a value of at least 2. The aliphatic NCO-terminated prepolymer can the compound according to formula I can be combined at an NCO:NH equivalent ratio of 1:1.5 to 1:5.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microcapsule comprising an inorganic antimicrobial agent coated with a hydrophilic polymer. The hydrophilic polymer is able to absorb sufficient water as to enable the action of the encapsulated antimicrobial agent. These microcapsules are useful to impart antimicrobial activity and can be used in polymer compositions, sprays and coatings. A method of preparing the microcapsule by treatment of the antimicrobial agent with a solution of the hydrophilic polymer is provided. Another embodiment of the invention is a method of preparing the microcapsule by coating of the antimicrobial agent with a polymer precursor followed by treatment with a reactive ingredient. Another embodiment of the invention is a method of preparing the microcapsule by melt compounding the antimicrobial agent with the hydrophilic polymer followed by grinding to the desired particle size. Polymer compositions comprising the microcapsules and a matrix polymer are also provided.

Abstract: According to the present invention there are provided antimicrobial catheters and other medical devices having controlled release of an antimicrobial metal or metal ion. Specifically, antimicrobial catheters and other medical devices manifest antimicrobial properties as a result of the incorporation therein of antimicrobial microcapsules comprising an inorganic antimicrobial agent and a hydrophilic polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high aspect ratio microcapsule comprising an inorganic antimicrobial agent coated with a hydrophilic polymer. The hydrophilic polymer is able to absorb sufficient water as to enable the action of the encapsulated antimicrobial agent. These high aspect ratio microcapsules are useful to impart antimicrobial activity and can be used in polymer compositions, sprays and coatings. A method of preparing the high aspect ratio microcapsule by melt compounding and fabrication of the antimicrobial agent with the hydrophilic polymer is provided. Polymer compositions comprising the high aspect ratio microcapsules and a matrix polymer are also provided. Another embodiment of the invention is an article prepared from the polymer compositions comprising the high aspect ratio microcapsules and a matrix polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microcapsule comprising an inorganic antimicrobial agent coated with a hydrophilic polymer. The hydrophilic polymer is able to absorb sufficient water as to enable the action of the encapsulated antimicrobial agent. These microcapsules are useful to impart antimicrobial activity and can be used in polymer compositions, sprays and coatings. A method of preparing the microcapsule by treatment of the antimicrobial agent with a solution of the hydrophilic polymer is provided. Another embodiment of the invention is a method of preparing the microcapsule by coating of the antimicrobial agent with a polymer precursor followed by treatment with a reactive ingredient. Another embodiment of the invention is a method of preparing the microcapsule by melt compounding the antimicrobial agent with the hydrophilic polymer followed by grinding to the desired particle size. Polymer compositions comprising the microcapsules and a matrix polymer are also provided.

Abstract: NCO-terminated prepolymers are made by reacting a polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (PMDI) and a polyol having a functionality of from about 1.8 to about 4.0 and a molecular weight of from about 400 to about 2,000. The PMDI and polyol are reacted in amounts such that the equivalent ratio of isocyanate groups to hydroxyl groups is from about 15:1 to about 160:1. These prepolymers are useful in the production of polyurethane foams, particularly laminated foams.